Writing a Screenplay?

I absolutely LOVE the book, "Writing Screenplays that Sell," by Michael Hauge!

http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Screenplays-That-Twentieth-Anniversary/dp/0061791431


How often are you writing a book and you can see the characters in living color inside your head? How often do you wonder if your dialogue is where it should be, or if the story is strong enough to carry the main character to the end? Have you ever considered the importance of theme? Structure? Writing individual scenes?

I have never written a screenplay, but I can tell you when I've seen a good one and when I haven't. Perhaps the end isn't realistic and unbelievable--probably a problem with character development. The scenes jump, and don't flow. Probably a problem with structure.

The cool thing about Hauge is that he analyses the movie we all know and love, The Karate Kid. What made the movie such a success? What elements were important? Did the movie also have weaknesses?

Hauge also discusses the weaknesses of the movie; things such as predictability and a slow beginning.

Can either of these issues relate to a book you are writing?

You bet.

When it comes to writing books I tend to shy away from the punctuation type, unless I have a question that needs to be answered. But often, the best writing books are those that teach you not only how to write with flavor, but how to get an audience interested for life.

Have a favorite book on writing? I would love it if you shared it here.

Kathryn